Hueloy - Cultural Promoter

by Doris Green

He is a steelpan music icon, respected, award-wining, and a global
ambassador of the steelpan art form. In addition, he is a founding
member of the champion Harmonites Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago.
When Steel Talks (WST) spotlights
Vincent “Hueloy” Lila Yip Young as we revisit a 1985 interview with
academic, journalist, historian, ethnomusicologist, choreographer, notator and
cultural and music standout Doris Green.

Republished from
- Steelbands of New
York with permission from the author

Hueloy is still an avid supporter of steelpan
music art form all over the world... 2016

Hueloy [aka Vincent “Hueloy” Lila Yip Young], a former steel band
player, now an entrepreneur in the record industry specializing in
calypso music and Caribbean music.

The interview began with the organization of steel bands in New York.
It was gleaned that there were at least two earlier steel band
organizations which are now defunct. Today the National Council of Steel
Pans is an organization that is promoting an annual steelband concert of
— classics and carols.

In your estimation what are the leading steel bands
of the decades?

Hueloy came to this country in 1968. At that time the top steel bands were
as follows:

1968-70
Highlanders
Tropican
Sonatas Brooklynaires

1970s
Exhibits
Pan Masters
Silhouettes
New York Harmonites
Satisfiers

1980s
As a result of the Panorama, the below bands are the tops in the early 1980s:
BWIA Sonatas
New York Golden Stars
B’s Metro Steel Moods Pan Groove

In Trinidad, the best band of the 70s and early 80s is the
Desperadoes.
In Mr. Loy’s estimation, the Desperadoes is the best band ever. Their leader,
Mr. Rudolph Charles (recently deceased) will be remembered not only for
his leadership but for the innovations he pioneered on the steel drums.

In the course of the conversation, it was gleaned that several steel
bands had merged and then later dissolved. This prompted the writer to ask
- Why? Hueloy responded that there were differences over money, ideologies
of management, personality problems, etc., which caused the dissolution
of many steel pan groups.

As far as philosophy of the steel pan is concerned, do you feel that
the “spider web” is a better pan than the “Ellie Mannette” style of pan?

The response was a flat “no”. To elaborate, he said each tuner thinks his
style is the best. Bands have been successful with one style while other
bands have had success with another style, adding that said question could
be debated for years.

In terms of construction how do you compare the two pans?

Response: The spider web pan definitely has a distinct musical pattern in its design
whereas in the “Mannette” style of pan, the notes are scattered.

As far as standardization is concerned, the spider web
pan is definitely more applicable.
Allan Gervais made a perfect Mannette-style pan, but Gervais
died and the younger panmakers are not making this style pan. After Ellie
Mannette migrated from Trinidad, Allan Gervais continued to make his style
of pan. The spider web pan is the dominant style in Trinidad, but not in
New York.

Bertie Marshall took the Mannette-style pan and eliminated some of its
notes to get clarity. He started the pan from E Flat and called it “high
tenor”. But it had its drawbacks because one always needed to return to
some of the lower notes which were not on the high tenor pan. There was
clarity, but no depth. To compensate for this he devised another pan called
the “double tenor.” Whatever notes that were not on one pan were on the
other pan. This gave a fuller range with both clarity and depth.
Bertie Marshall created the double tenor pan in 1965-66.

The spider web pan can be constructed either clockwise or counterclockwise.
The writer theorized that this was done for ease of movability depending
upon whether the player was left handed or right handed. At this particular
point, Mr. Loy stated that facilitation of movement was not the theory behind
it, but the desires of the tuner to establish his own turf.

In order to bring the pan into the realm of acceptance, it must some
how be standardized. How would you go about solving this?

Response: The pans are standardized to some extent in Trinidad. For example the cycle
of fifths is standard; the Bertie Marshall double tenors are standard; the
Ellie Mannette second pans are standard. The cellos are standard Mannette
style. Most bands used a mixed combination of the pans that have been standardized.
The Johnston family is the only band that uses only one type of pan which
is the spider web pan.

Finance - they cannot support a family and support their act.
It is too expensive. In order to have the Trinidad sound, one needs 25–30
members in a band. Without a sponsor, it is too expensive. Sponsorship is
the resolution to this problem. Another problem is available space. Store
fronts make good facilities.

What do you feel about basements being used as available space for
construction and rehearsals?

Mr. Loy found no objection to it.

The
writer had to state the reaction of people who have had experience with
a basement being used as such. In a similar experience it is felt that steelband
people are totally inconsiderate of others. They would construct pans from
dawn to sunset and then rehearse from sunset to the wee hours of the morning
in total disregard for the neighbors. These people pay rent and mortgages
and would like to enjoy their dwellings and not have to listen to this noise
throughout the day and night. Therefore the question of availability is
definitely a problem. One cannot take steel pans which were designed and
played in the open spaces of the islands and bring it to the enclosures
of the city in a basement and not expect to have repercussions. Direction
and good leadership are also problems to be dealt with. Also the concept
that steel pan playing is a recreational thing must be obliterated if others
are going to respect it as an art form. The inability to read music is another
problem. Mr. Loy suggested that there be some formal musical training for
all pan players.

What form of music do you prefer calypso or classics?

Calypso
is good for the festive spirit, but on the international market, in order
to break through, the pan must play classics. Some bands that play classics
are the Desperadoes, Catelli
All Stars and
Casablanca. These bands are in
Trinidad and are noted for their music.

What do you see as the future of the steel pans? In what direction
would you like to see them go?

Mr. Loy pondered for a few seconds,
then said that he would like to see the size of the bands get smaller for
economic reasons. He would also like to see standardization and a whole new
approach. Steel pan players must listen to the leadership and dedicate themselves
to the art of steel pan playing.